Sealing apparatus



F. J. cozzou 2,680,331 SEALING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 29, 1952 Fig. I

.4 INVENTOR.

Fig- 7 c Pig's M ATTORNEY Patented June 8, 1954 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE SEALING APPARATUS Frank J. Cozzoli, Plainfield, N. J. Application September 29, 1952, Serial No. 312,011

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to the art of glass working, more particularly to the art of heat-sealing ampuls and tubes containing a pharmaceutical preparation in liquid or dry form, and has for a primary objective to produce, with minimum apparatus, strong, and substantially uniform seals on containers of that kind.

In hermetic sealing of ampuls and tubes, it is customary to direct a high heat flame or fire to the region of the container where the seal is to be made, and, while holding the tube in the flame, to rotate it in the fingers in an effort to effect reasonably uniform heating and softening of the glass. While manually manipulating the tube in this manner the operator must not only watch the flame continuously, but have a steady hand so that the heat will be localized. at the precise point where the seal is to be made or a one-sided or lobed seal and a weak seal will be produced. The present invention aims to reduce the eyestrain and to eliminate the need for manual holding and rotating of the tube in the fire and to produce strong and uniform seals on glass containers more quickly and efficiently.

The invention further aims to fill a need. existing today for a small, simple but effective piece of apparatus for use in experimental, research or general laboratories, hospitals, and the like to seal several to a few hundred vials at a time and where production requirements do not warrant the services of a skilled glass worker or the purchase of large automtaic sealing machines.

Still another aim of the invention is to render available a versatile laboratory sealer that will conveniently handle and seal small as well as large ampuls and tubes and produce thereon uniform and strong seals of either the pull-seal or top-seal character. A single adjustment for container length in relation to the fire determines the location of the seal, and as such an adjustment is necessarily made whenever a batch is to be run, the machine of the present invention combines and embodies all the advantages of automatic pull-seal and top seal machines but without their complexities. v

In attaining the objectives of the invention, it is proposed to support the ampul or tube in a V-shaped trough formed by a pair of cylinders mounted on a parallel axis and at least one of which but preferably both, is caused to rotate. In the interests of simplicity the cylinders are inclined at an angle lying within the range of 30 to 60 from a vertical plane so that an ainpul placed in the V between the cylinders will by its own weight and the traction of the cylinders be caused to rotate also. An adjustable shelf is provided at the lower end of the V upon which the base of the container may rest, and which shelf may be adjusted so that the upper end of the container is projected beyond the ends of the cylinders and into the fire zone. In this instance the sealing flame is supplied by a gas burner mounted upon an adjustable support, which, by manipulating a thumb screw, may be readily adjusted to position the burner tip the requisite distance from the surface of the glass. Intensity of the flame may also be controlled by throttling the fuel supply more or less as by. means of hand valves or the valves on conventional mixers (not illustrated). And the entire apparatus is mounted upon a base that forms the main support for the assembly as well as housing for a small motor that drives the ampul supporting and rotating rollers.

Other objects and advantages will be in part indicated in the following description and in part rendered apparent therefrom in connection with the annexed drawings.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to apprehend the underlying features hereof that they may embody the same in the various ways contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting a preferred typical construction have been annexed as a part of this disclosure and, in such drawings, likecharacters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which:

Figure 1 of the drawings is a front elevation of a sealing apparatus embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially along lines 4-4 of Figure 1, with portions of the burner omitted.

.Figure 5 is a fragmentary end view of the apparatus as it may be used to pull-seal ampuls and tubes.

tially an elongated hollow base It that is formed with a gable-type roof Ii, one side H a thereof being open. The open side Ha of the roof is pitched at a relatively steep angle lying between 30 and from a vertical plane. Good resultsare obtained when the pitch is on the order of 35 from the vertical, as will be explained.

A metal plate 12 is placed over the opening Ha and is suitably fastened to the base as by screws I3. The plate l2 supports a motor and gear carrier frame M, and the latter, a geared motor 15. Screws 16, of which there are four, secure the plate l2, frame M and motor it, together as a unit. The motor I5 is preferably a slow speed motor of conventional character, electrically operated, and has an output shaft a. that projects into the frame l4. Shaft 15a, is provided at its end with a drive gear ii. The gear ll meshes with two spaced gears l8 which are carried .at

the ends of a pair of ampul supporting and drive I rolls 19. The rolls 1%) are journaled'on spindles I901, that are also supported by the frame .14. Each of the rolls l9 has its lower end-reduced so as to be passed through openings 12a formed in gear [8 resting upon a boss f le .of .themotor frame.

The spindles ifia and rolls 19 are arranged on parallel axis, preferably,.and project outwardly from the plate at anangle of approximately 35 from a horizontal plane in this embodiment. The adjacent peripheries of the two rolls together form a V-channel, the sides of which, when the rolls are being rotated, move in opposite directions. .If a third cylindrical object is placed in the inclined channel it will of its own weight rest upon the surfaces of therolls and by the traction of thelatter be rotated also. Figures 6 and '7 illustrate diagrammatically a preferred relation ofthe trioof-gearsl I and l8,.and. the pair of rolls IS in relation to ampuls or tubes of different sizes that may be supported and rotated thereby.

As illustarted in Figures 3-5, the rolls [9 are of a length sufiicient. to support the bodyportion of long tubes .without tipping, and-for short tubes an adjustable shelf. 20. is provided. The shelf 20 is constructed as to be supported and guided upon the front wall of'the roof l as by apinand slot device .2! and aclamping screw 22. The shelf 29 extends towards the .rolls is and is formed with. two crescent shaped openings 23 that receive the rolls,.and a protruding tongue portionZ that entersinto the V between .the rolls. If desired a back support Eda may be provided at one or both sides of the-rolls 19 against which agroup .of

unsealed or sealed tubes may rest, as indicated in Figure 2. The back restiiia. may be secured to themainplate l2.as illustrated .in the drawings ormay be. bent up parts of the shelf 'zfi.

In accordance with this invention, the base unit l8 also mountsand. supports ameansfor fusing the open end of the ampul or tube. .A preferred form ofsealing. means is illustrated moreclearly .inFigureB which comprises a burner tip 25 that is screw threaded into a T 21. .The T 21 is. provided with. a. fuel port 23 which may be connected as at 29 with a source of suitable fuel, i. e., gas, air and/or oxygen properly mixed. The T 26 and its components is mounted at the end of an end wise adjustable support 3t that is 'non-rotatably journaled in a pivoted bracket'fil. Bracket'3l is pivoted at 32 between a pair of flanges 33pmvided by the base ti! and carries'an extensions 1! a that straddles an adjusting screw 3%. The screw 3'4 is screw threaded into a boss -35 in the base and carries a compression spring 36 adapted to react between the boss 35 and the inner side of the bracket extension am. As the screw 35 is manipulated, the bracket 3! is causedto swing about its pivot and thereby tilt the outer end of the support 30 and the burner tip 25 toward or away from the tube or ampul that may be lying in the channel between the rolls IS. A clamp screw 31 is provided for securing the support 30 to the bracket in the desired extended position.

In a normal position, such as illustrated in full lines in Figure 3, the burner tip will direct its flame toward the tube to be sealed in a slightly upward and outward direction; relative to the axis of the'tube. 'Such an angular relation of the fire and the tube tends to direct the heat away from the contents in the body part of the tube while seal thereon. Letter 1) indicates the position of the top. of an ampul of larger size and in which case the burner 25 will be adjusted to occupy a more .outwardposition. Letter .0 =indicates-the endportion of a.tube-positioned for sealing and .in this instance the burner. is adjusted outwardly 'inthe bracketBLand thelassembly tilted back slightly so that the fire will be .concentrated properly in relation .tothe glass. .In Figure.5,.the

apparatus is set up for pull-sealing a longa short distance below the open. end of .thecontainer. With the tube or. ampul being automaticallyrotated as explained-the fire softens'the glass at a zone below the open end and begins to form a constriction. .At the proper time, the operator will .drawoff thetip end ofthe ampul with a. pair. of tweezersand afteranother moment in the fiamethe drawn .endof theampulis fused into a nicely. roundedseal. .-A seal. ontubec, in Figure 3,.may beformed in similarfashion. .In effecting a pulleseahthe body part of the ampul ortube may lift as the top isdrawn out andto overcome this the attendantneed applyonlya little pressuretothe .body part to hold it down on its seat. With .very little practice the .un' skilled can acquire. a high degree of dexterity and efficiency in top sealing or pull-sealing ampuls and tubes .or various kinds on an apparatus constructcd as disclosed herein.

It willbe observedthat any. one of the adjustments ie for tubediamcter, tube length, .or flame concentration, is readily. made by. manipulating a single thumb. screw, andinmaking a complete changeoverfrom one. size to another three simple adjustments,.at most, are vrequired. It will also .be. noted that when the flame has been correctly located for sealing. ampuls of a given length, that the angle assumed. by the support 30, in relation to theaxisof the ampul. lying. between: the rolls, remains -substantiallyconstant for all sizes of ampuls andit isnecessary only to lower Oll'fiiSQ theshelf .26. and. move the. support 30 in or .out in bracket 3| to seal anampulof another size.

In using the apparatus, the ampul supporting .shelf and the burner are adjusted toanapproximate position for the seal and the burner is ignited. After the proper flame is obtained, by conventional valves or Venturi ,mixer (not shown), the motor switch 40 is turned on and the rolls l9 revolve. For convenience, a supply .of unsealed ampuls may be placed on the shelf 29 at one side of the revolving rolls and a trial sealing of one is made. It will .be found onthe-first ampul whether the flame is or is not properly adjusted and .the necessary adjustments are made. ,After that, .ampuls tobe. sealed are placed successively in the. channel. between the rotating rolls where each is by its own weight and the traction of the rolls caused to revolve about its longitudinal axis with the top end projected into the fire. Rotating the ampul in this manner not only efiects uniform distribution of the heat in the glass but relieves the operator of hand rotating and the constant eye concentration on the flame. Accordingly sealing time is greatly shortened, and consequently the contents of the ampul has less opportunity to heat up, the danger of an operator being burned is eliminated, and superior all around strong and uniform seals are produced.

When a seal has been produced the ampul may be lifted out of the channel between the rolls with the fingers and placed upon the shelf 29 to cool. If desired the ampuls may be caused to climb out of the channel under the power of one of the rotating rolls merely by pressing the ampul lightly against the up-coming roll which automatically causes the ampul to ride out of the channel and into the attendants fingers.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various utilizations by retaining one or more of the features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of either the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should be, and are intended to be, comprehended within the meaning and range or equivalency of the following claims.

Having thus revealed this invention, I claim as new and desire to secure the following combinations and elements or equivalents thereof, by Letters Patent of the United States:

1. An apparatus for sealing the open ends of a filled ampul or the like comprising in combination a hollow base member having a sloping roof portion provided with an opening therein, a plate member fitted on said sloping roof portion and forming a closure for the opening therein, a motor frame carried by said plate member, a drive motor mounted to said frame and disposed within the hollow base member, said motor having a drive shaft and a drive gear mounted thereon, a pair of stationary spaced-apart spindle elements mounted in said motor frame on axes parallel to but at opposite sides of the axis of the shaft of said motor, said spindle elements projecting outwardly from the frame and substantially perpendicularly to the sloping plane of said plate, a roller element mounted for free rotation on each of said spindle elements, each of said roller elements having gear teeth in meshed relation with the gear on said motor shaft, and said roller elements being of such length and diameter that their adjacent peripheries form a sloping V-shaped trough adapted to support at least the body portion of an ampul to be sealed, ampul sealing means positioned below and beyond the outer ends of said rollers so as to direct a sealing fire upwardly against the underside of the projecting end of an ampul supported in the sloping trough formed between the surfaces of said drive rollers, and switch means in the circuit to the motor for controlling the operation thereof and thereby the rotation of said rollers and the ampul supported in the trough therebetween.

2. An apparatus for sealing the open end of a filled tube, ampul or the like comprising a main support having a work surface in a plane disposed at a relatively steep angle to a horizontal plane, a pair of parallel spaced-apart spindle elements carried by said support and projecting therefrom in a direction normal to the plane of the said work surface, a drive roll element mounted for free rotation on each of said spindle elements, said roll elements forming between their peripheries a sloping V-shaped trough adapted to support an ampul in slanted position with its lower end resting upon said work surfaces, burner means positioned below and beyond the outer ends of said rollers for directing a sealing fire upwardly against the underside of the ampul that projects beyond the roller ends and outwardly and toward the open end of the ampul for effecting a sealing thereof by fusion, and means mounted to the support and connected with each of said roller elements for rotating each roller about the axis of its associated spindle to effect rotation of the ampul during the sealing thereof.

3. The combination of claim 2 including a supplementary support for the lower end of the ampul, and means mounting said supplementary support to the main support for adjustment in a direction axially of the roller elements, said suppleinentary support having portions cut away so as to fit between and partially around at least the upper peripheries of said roller elements.

4. 'The combination of claim 2 including means mounting said burner means for adjustment bodily in a direction substantially axially of the roller elements but at an angle to their axis corresponding to the change in location of the point of sealing the stem ends of ampuls of different body sizes and overall lengths, and additional means for adjusting said burner gen erally radially of the axis of the ampul to maintain a selected spacial distance between the glass thereof and the burner.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 982,212 Koenig Jan. 17, 1911 1,242,837 Moberg Oct. 29, 1917 1,631,674 Favre June 7, 1927 1,948,560 Borneman Feb. 27, 1934 2,367,495 Gray Jan. 16, 1945 

